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Filed Nov. 1, 1961 March 31, 1964 w, c, ARNOLD 3,127,504

PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 7Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ARNOLD HIS ATTORNEYS March 31, 1964w. c. ARNOLD PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES '7Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 FIG.3

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SSZIO SS2I2 K232BI3 INVENTOR I25 WILLIAM C. ARNOLD BY WMAL Y q I o o 0HIS ATTORNEY SSZOIL March 31, 1964 Filed Nov. 1, 1961 W. C. ARNOLDPRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 K283ACIK243Al ST2O3 ZZIBCII K233A3 o- KZGOAI K242B2Z 1 K2658 I L20! SGBAIK207Bll INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ARNOLD BY WM H s ATTORNEI s March 31, 1964w. c. ARNOLD 3,127,504

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PRINTING CONTROL MEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 1, 1961 7Sheets-Sheet 7 sc2|4 I0: I04 K22I I 1;

I09 I08 2 25 I I K20|Al2 $021? I {I I 9 l K202B2 K206Cl2 INVENTORWILLIAM C. ARNOLD HIS United States Patent 3,127,504 PRINTING CONTROLMEANS FOR ACCOUNTING MACHINES William C. Arnold, Dayton, Ohio, assignorto The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation ofMaryland Filed Nov. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 149,256 11 Claims. (Cl. 23561.9)

This invention relates to means for automatic data input and control ofan accounting machine, and more particularly relates to means foreffecting the automatic recording of account identification data inconnection with the automatic processing of accounts by such a machine.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use With an accountingmachine of the type disclosed in the co-pending United States patentapplication Serial No. 840,701, filed September 17, 1959, by William C.Arnold and Chester N. Jorgensen, now United States Patent No. 3,102,950,issued Sepetember 3, 1963, although it is not necessarily limited tosuch use. Briefly, that apparatus provides means capable of sensing datafrom a first record medium, such as perforated paper tape, andcontrolling an accounting machine and a feeding device to cause theinput of such sensed data into the accounting machine according to apredetermined arrangement. The accounting machine may be of the typedisclosed in United States Patent No. 2,947,475, issued August 2, 1960,to Konrad Ranch et al., and the feeding device may be of the typedisclosed in the co-pending United States patent application Serial No.770,673, filed October 30, 1958, by Henry Grosnickle, Jr., and WilliamC. Arnold, United States inventors, now Patent No. 3,079,- 145, issuedFebruary 26, 1963.

The data sensed from the first record medium is arranged in apredetermined order in frames relating to the items to be posted to thevarious accounts. Each frame may include account identificationinformation, such as an account number, to insure that the informationin the frame is entered on the correct account; control informationpertaining to the type of transaction, such as check or deposit; amountinformation, such as checks and deposits, to be added to or subtractedfrom the balance of a particular account; and finally, a special symbolfor initiation of operation of the accounting machine. Solenoid-operatedmeans are provided in association with the keyboard of the accountingmachine for operation of the various keys, and are energized accordingto the signals sensed from the tape to effect entry of the informationinto the accounting machine.

The old balance for each account, as well as account identification dataand other information, is obtained from a second record medium in theform of a magnetically encoded account ledger card. These ledger cardsare fed by the feeding device into the accounting machine, where alegible record of the posting operation for the particular account isprinted on each card. Balances and individual item entries are alsoprinted on a journal sheet which is produced by the accounting machinecoincidentally with the printing of the record of the various postingoperations on the ledger card, as described above.

Various interlocks and control circuits interconnect the accountingmachine, the sensing device, and the feeding device, to insure operationof all of these mechanisms in the proper sequence, and to prevent theentry of erroneous information.

The present invention adds to the above apparatus the capability ofprinting identification data on the journal sheet in connection witheach account posted. This enables instant isolation and identificationof those figures on the journal sheet pertaining to any one of theaccounts which have been processed by the accounting machine.

This is accomplished by utilization of the account number which isencoded on the input tape which is used to provide item information forautomatic entry into the accounting machine. The account number isencoded once in connection with each item entry on the tape. It issensed by the tape-sensing device and entered into the machine bydepression of key-operating solenoids in the accounting machinekeyboard. Since the keyboard of the accounting machine is of limitedcapacity, the amount section is used both for the entry of accountinformation to be printed on the journal sheet and for the entry ofamount information to be used in the posting of the various accountsbeing processed.

A novel routing system provides controls to enable the dual use of thekeyboard entry means for both purposes. As each frame of information onthe tape is sensed by the tape-sensing device for utilization in theaccounting machine, the account number is sensed first and, in the caseof the first item entry pertaining a particular account, is used toenergize the appropriate keys on the accounting machine keyboard forinput purposes. A non-add operation of the accounting machine is thenautomatically initiated to effect printing of the identification data onthe journal sheet, in the case of the first item entry pertaining to aparticular account. In the case of subsequent item entries pertaining tothe same account, the printing of the identification number is disabled,to avoid needless duplication.

Following sensing of the identification number for the particularaccount, the transaction information and the amount information, such asa check or deposit item, is then read and entered into the accountingmachine by use of the keyboard thereon. Initiation of a conventionalposting operation under control of an end-of-frame symbol sensed fromthe tape serves to add the item amount to the balance standing in themachine. Means are thus provided for the automatic sensing and recordingof an identification number in connection with each automatic postingoperation for each account.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide meansfor automatic recording of identification information in associationwith other information pertaining to various accounting transactionsduring accounting machine operation.

A further object is to provide means for effecting automatic sensing ofidentification information from a first record member and recording ofthat information on another record number during accounting machineoperation.

An additional object is to provide means for automatically utilizing thesame input keyboard to effect input of identification information in oneoperation and amount information in a succeeding operation, duringsensing of the same frame of information from a record medium.

Another object is to provide means for causing an accounting machine toperform a first data input operation for input of identification data, amachine-initiating operation to effect recording of the identificationdata, a second data input operation for input of transaction and amountdata, and a second machine-initiating operation to cause a machinecomputation utilizing said transaction and amount data.

A further object is to provide automatic means for causing accountidentification data to be recorded on a record member by an accountingmachine in connection with the first item entry pertaining to aparticular account, and to prevent such recording of identification data3,1 3 in connection with further item entries relating to the sameaccount.

With these and other objects, which will become apparent from thefollowing description, in view, the invention includes certain novelfeatures of construction and combinations of parts, a preferred form orembodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to thedrawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the keyboard of a machineembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail view, partly in section, showing one bank of keysforming a part of the keyboard of the machine, and also showing thesolenoid means for operating said keys.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the journal sheet produced by themachine, showing entries relating to various transactions, and alsoshowing identification numbers printed in association with eachtransaction.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the tape used for input of item entriesinto the machine.

FIGS. 5 to 9 inclusive are circuit diagrams illustrating variousportions of the circuitry of the present invention.

In addition to the magnetically-encoded ledger card, to which referencehas been made above, entry of information into the accounting machine iseffected through the keyboard 21, shown in FIG. 1. Such entry may beaccomplished either manually, by manual depression of appropriate keys,or automatically, by energization of a key-operating solenoid undercontrol of information sensed from a perforated paper tape.

At the extreme left of the keyboard 21, as viewed in FIG. 1, are aplurality of controls designed to be operable by supervisory personnel,said controls being provided with locks to insure that their settingswill not be tampered with by unauthorized persons. These controlsinclude a control 22 for determining whether or not a comparison ofaccount information between the ledger card and individual items is tobe required; controls 23 and 24 relating to the check count for thevarious accounts; and a control 25 for determining whether a comparisonis to be required for every item posted, or only for the first itemrelating to an account, and all subsequent credit items for thataccount.

To the right of these controls are a plurality of visible item counters26, which function to keep total records of various types oftransactions. Since these counters form no part of the presentinvention, no further reference thereto will be made.

To the right of the counters are situated two rows of numerical keys,the leftmost of the two rows having only three keys, while the rightmostof the two rows has nine keys. These two rows are for indexing dateinformation to enable the date to be printed on the ledger card inconnection with the recording of each transaction. The date keys 27 aremanually operable only, and control a printing function. A release key28 is provided to release the date keys when it is desired to reset thedate, normally at the end of the day. A lock 29 is provided for lockingthe date keys in their set positions.

The four rows of numerical keys immediately to the right of the datekeys 27 are the check count keys 3%. These keys are utilized to enterinto the machine the check count pertaining to a particular account, andare solenoid controlled, to enable this information to be entered fromthe perforated paper tape, if desired.

The next ten rows of keys are amount keys 31, which are used for settingup amounts, such as old balances, the amounts of checks and deposits,and any other desired information used in connection with the accountsbeing processed, which information is represented by dollars and centsor any other numbers. As will subsequently be described, these amountkeys are also used to enable printing of the account identificationnumber on the journal sheet.

A new balance key 3. is provided on the keyboard 21 for initiating a newbalance operation of the accounting machine.

Bclow the new balance key on the keyboard 21 is 10- catcd an overdraftkey 33. This key permits continued posting in the event of an overdraftcondition arising in a particular account. The machine in such acircumstance will normally lock to prevent continued posting, but th slockup can be disabled by manual depression of the overdraft key 33, orby pre-set machine control means, as fully described in thepreviously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No.840,701.

The rows of keys 3%, 35, and 36 are transaction rows 3, 2, and 1,respectively, for controlling the various operations of the machine. Ahold-down lever 37 is provided to maintain the selected key intransaction row 3 in depressed condition after the completion of amachine operation, if such is desired. Without use of the hold-downlever 37, the keys in row 3 are released after each operation.

Means shown in FIG. 2 are provided to operate the keys 21 of FlG. 1 inaccordance with information sensed from a perforated paper tape such asis shown at 42 in FIG. 4. In FIG. 2, superimposed over the key bank 43of the accounting machine, is a unit for controlling the keys of the keybank 43 in accordan e with electrical impulses received from thetape-sensing unit. The key bank 43 includes a key frame 45, in which arepositioned a plurality of keys 46, nine in the illustrated embodiment.Slots 47 in the key frame 4-5 cooperate with studs 43 in the keys toguide the keys for sliding movement in a direction which is radial tothe arcuate form of the key frame 45. The keys 46 are normally urgedtoward an undepressed position by a spring 49, supported by a member St)and extending between the key frame at the lower end of the spring andthe st d it? at the upper end of the spring.

A detent 51 is mounted within the key frame 45 at one end by a pivotconnection 52 to an arm 53, which, in turn, is pivoted to the key frame4 5'. The detcnt 51 is similarly mounted at its other end, so that itmay partake of movement transverse of the keys 46 within the key frame4:3. Hook formations 54, on the detent having cam surfaces 55 thereon,cooperate with the studs 48 on the keys 46. Depression of one of thekeys 46 causes its stud 43 to engage the surface 55, on thecorresponding book of the detent 51, to shift said detent to the left,as viewed in FIG. 2, permitting full depression of the selected key 46.As the stud 48 of the depressed key passes the hook formation 5 on thedetent 5i, said detcnt shifts upward and to the right, as viewed in FIG.2, thereby positioning the hook formation 54 over the stud 48 of thedepressed key 45 to retain said key in depressed positron. A spring 56,connected at one end to the frame 45 and at the other end to the detent51, urges the detent to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2. In the eventthat the wrong key is inadvertently depressed, it will be seen that thissituation may be corrected by depression of any of the other keys in thekey bank, which will rock the detent 51 to the left, thus releasing theoriginally depressed key.

An additional detent 57 is also slida'oly mounted within the key frame45 and is provided with cam surfaces 58 for engagement with the studs 48of the keys 46. The detent 57 controls a zero stop pawl 59 in awell-known manner, causing the zero stop pawl 59 to be shiftedcounter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2, about its pivot 60 against theforce of the spring 61 whenever a key in the key bank 43 is depressed.

The key bank 43 is mounted in its proper position in the accountingmachine by positioning two arcuate surfaces 62 and 63 of the frame 45 ona pair of rods (not shown) forming a part of the accounting machinestructure.

To adapt the key bank 43 for use with the control unit 44, the key tipsused in the conventional machine are removed, and a small flat plate 64is secured to the top end of each key 46. The control unit 44 isenclosed within a frame 67, which extends over the key bank 43 and issecured thereto at the upper and lower ends by means of screws 68 orother suitable fastening means. A side frame 69 is fixed to the frame 67and supports a plurality of solenoid brackets 70, one for each keyposition, which are secured to the frame 69 by means of screws 71. Asolenoid 72 is contained within each bracket 70 and is connected bysuitable wiring to the sensing unit, from which it receives electricalsignals according to the information fed from the perforated paper tape.Each solenoid 72 is provided with a core 73, to the lower end of whichis secured a plate 74, of non-magnetic material, which is notched at 75to receive a pin 76, secured to the bracket 70. The pin 76 functions topre vent turning movement of the plate 74 and the core 73, to which theplate is secured. The upper end of the core 73 extends through openingsin the bracket 70 and the frame 67 and has attached thereto a key tip77, of conventional design, on which any appropriate indicia, such as anumber or a symbol, may be placed.

It will be seen that when power is applied to any one of the solenoids72 of the control unit 44, the core 73 of that solenoid is shifteddownwardly, so that the plate 74 engages the plate 64 and depresses thekey 46 in the same manner as said key would be depressed manually in aconventional accounting machine. The solenoid core 73 may also beshifted downwardly by the key tip 77 to depress the key 46 in the eventthat a manual operation is desired.

The control unit 44 shown in FIG. 2 therefore provides for electricaloperation of the keys of the accounting machine keyboard under controlof the sensing unit when desired, while at the same time permittingmanual operation of the accounting machine by depression of the key tips77, when appropriate.

A permanent, continuous record of all transactions is produced by themachine in the form of a journal sheet, shown in FIG. 3. The recordpertaining to each account transaction includes an accountidentification number; an old balance; any checks or deposits or otherindividual entries made with respect to the account; the check count,including both the number of check entries on. the account at thebeginning of the transaction, and the total number of entries includingthe entries posted during the transaction; and a new balance. Forexample, looking at the topmost series of entries on the journal sheet85 of FIG. 3, it will be seen that the old balance was $999.00, that thecheck count prior to the transaction was 0, that the accountidentification number is 1,234,567.89, that four checks in the amountsof $57.00, $40.00, $30.00, and $20.00 have been posted, that a depositin the amount of $150.00 has been posted, that the check count is now 4,and that the new balance is $1,002.00.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a fragmentary portion of the perforated paper tapewhich is used as an input medium for input of item information andaccount number information to the accounting machine. It will be seenthat in the illustrated embodiment this is a seven-channel tape, with anadditional channel for sprocket holes. The in formation is contained onthe tape in the form of frames of information, each of which includes,in encoded form, a seven-, eight-, or nine-digit account number; twoencoded characters for setting the transaction rows of the accountingmachine; the necessary number of amount digits, up to ten in theillustrated embodiment, for setting the amount keys on the amountkeyboard of the machine; and a trip symbol which is effective toinitiate an operation of the machine after all of the necessaryinformation has been set thereon. In FIG. 4, the trip symbol characteris represented by reference character 06, the account identificationnumbers are represented by reference chart3 acter 87, the transactionrow characters are represented by reference characters 88, and theamount numbers are represented by the reference character 89. The tape,as shown in FIG. 4, moves to the left, in the direction of the arrow 90,with respect to the tape-sensing unit, so that in each frame ofinformation, the account number is sensed first, followed by thecharacters pertaining to the transaction rows, the characters pertainingto the amount rows, and then the trip symbol, which completes the frameof information.

System Circuitry The circuitry which controls the various components ofthe system of the present invention will now be described. Only thecircuitry relating to control of the keyboard of the accounting machinein connection with the sensing of a frame of information from the tapewill be described in detail herein, since the circuitry relating to theautomatic operating system generally is fully described in thepreviously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No. 840,701and in the previouslymentioned United States Patent No. 2,947,475. Wherenecessary to the understanding of the operation of the system as awhole, certain portions of the operating circuits described in theabove-mentioned application and patent have been incorporated in thecircuitry included in this application.

In the present invention, sensing of the perforated tape is accomplishedby a mechanical sensing device, fully described in thepreviously-mentioned United States patent application Serial No.840,701, which serially senses each each character position on the tapeas the tape moves past the sensing device. Sensing of a perforation onthe tape causes the corresponding set of contacts SC201 to SC205inclusive (FIG. 7) to close. As shown in FIG. 7, the contacts SC201 arein series with a resistor 92 and a relay K200, while each of thecontacts SC202 to SC205 inclusive are connected to a parallelcombination of two relays, each of said relays being connected in serieswith a resistor. For example, the contacts SC202 are connected to aparallel combination including one series branch consisting of aresistor 93 and a relay K201, and also including another series branchconsisting of a resistor 94 and a relay K202.

The entire combination of contacts, resistors, and relays is connectedbetween a positive conductor 95, connected to a positive terminal 99,and a negative conductor 96, connected to a negative terminal 100. Asource of volts DC. power is applied across the terminals 99 and 100.Cam-controlled contacts SC210, which close at 65 degrees of rotation ofa cam line associated with the sensing device, and open at 350 degreesof rotation of said cam line, connect the positive conductor 95 to apoint 91. A series combination of a resistor 97 and a capacitor 98 isconnected in parallel with the contacts SC210 between the conductor 95and the point 91 to provide an arc suppression function, and thecontacts K216A3 are also connected in parallel with the contacts SC210between the conductor 95 and the point 91 to enable by-passing of thecontacts SC210 under certain conditions.

Let it be assumed, for example, that the sensing pins of the sensingdevice have sensed information in the first, second, and third channelsof the tape. In such event, the contacts SC201, SC202, and SC203 areclosed by movement of the corresponding sensing pins. Then, at 65degrees of rotation of the cam line, the contacts SC210 close, applyingpower from the positive conductor 95 to the point 91, and through thecontacts SC201, S0202, and SC203 to energize the relays K200, K201,K202, K203, and K204.

Each of the relays K200, K201, and K203 controls a set of contactsK200A13, K201A13, and K203A13, which close upon energization of theirrespective relays, and which function to retain the previously-mentionedrelays K200, K201, K202, K203, and K204 in energized condition. Theseholding circuits for said relays are normally maintained until 350degrees of cam line rotation, but are maintained for a longer time ifnecessary, during sensing of account identification numbers, in order topermit setting of the switches which store the first three digits sensedof the account identification numbers, by closing of the contacts K2l6A3, which are controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (notshown).

Now, referring to FIG. 9, it is seen that relay contacts controlled bythe various relays K299 to K293 inclusive constitute a decoding networkfor translating the information in the form in which it is sensed fromthe tape into a decimal notation suitable for controlling the accountingmachine. For example, with the relays KZ-tli), K23 K2tl2, K263, and K26i energized as described above, the relay contacts controlled by theserelays are shifted from the positions in which they are shown in FIG. 9to positions in which the blades of these contacts engage the other ofthe two opposing terminals.

In such a case, a circuit is completed from a point 105., over thecontacts K295; E2, KZLWClZ, KT. SCH, K204C2, and KlzilEAlZ to the 7termina 192 on a terminal board 163. This is the only path which iscompleted through the decoding network by the above combination ofenergized and deenergized relays. Other combinations of these relayscomplete other paths to different terminals on the terminal board 7.33of HG. 9.

When a trip symbol, consisting of perforations in the second, third, andfourth channels of the tape, is sensed by the sensing device, a circuitis completed from the point 101 through contacts KZQSCZZ, KZQZCZ,KEG-3C1, and KiddCZ, and the row 2 trip relay K221, to a negativeterminal 104 to condition the relay K221 for encrgization. A capacitorH35 and a resistor -36 are serially connected in parallel with the relayK221 to perform an arc-suppression function. In passing. it may be notedthat the tape shows the trip symbol to have perforations in rows orchannels 6 and '7, in addition to channels 2, 3, and 4. However, theperforations in channels 6- and 7 are merely for visual notation, sothat a person glancing at the tape can readily distinguish the differentframes of informa tion, since no facility is provided in thetape-sensing device of the illustrated embodiment for reading channels 6and 7.

At 105 degrees of rotation of the cam line, the contacts SCZl-t (FIG. 9)close, completing a connection from a positive terminal 167 through thecontacts SCZM, the point ltlll, and the decoding relay contact pathdescribed above, to the terminal M2 on the terminal board Hi3, thusapplying power to the selected terminal on this board corresponding tothe decimal equivalent of the information sensed from the tape. it atrip symbol has been sensed, closure of the contacts SCZM causesenergization of the row 2 trip relay K221.

Connected in parallel with the contac are contacts KZMACH, which arecontrolled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown). Alsoconnected in parallel with the contacts SCZll i is a series combinationof a capacitor 1% and a resistor 169. Contacts SC217, which arecontrolled by the cam line of the sensing device to close at 195 degreesof rotation of said cam line, and to open at 350 degrees of rotation,are connected in parallel with the resistor 169. When the contacts SC214close at 105 degrees, the contacts SC217 are open, thus placing theresistor M39 in series with the ca pacitor 108 across the contactsSC214, and preventing a large surge of current through the contactsSCZM, which would otherwise be caused by discharge of the capacitor 103.The capacitor 188 serves to limit the inductive surge caused by theopening of the contacts SCZM at 320 degrees of rotation of the cam line,at which time the contacts SC217 are closed.

Shown in FIG. 8 is a portion of an operating circuit for energizing arelay in the accounting machine which is effective to initiate a cycleof operation of the account- SCH i ing machine. It will be seen that twoparallel paths extend between terminals 119 and 111 in the relayoperating circuit. One of these paths includes contacts K22LlA3, whichare controlled by the row 2 trip relay K221, described above. It willaccordingly be seen that when a trip symbol is sensed from theperforated tape, and the relay 14221 as a result is energized, thecircuit between the terminals 11% and 111 is completed over the contactsKZZZAS. Alternatively; the circuit between the terminals lit; and 111can be completed over the other parallel path, which includes theserially-connected contacts KZGSAiZ and SCZM. The contacts K265A12 arecontrolled by the print trip relay K265 and are closed when this relayis energized during the sensing of a frame of information from the tape,as will subsequently be described. The contacts SCZi are controlled bythe cam line of the sensing device and close at 300 degrees of rotationof said cam line, remaining closed until the cam line has rotatedthrough 30 degrees of the next revolution.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main stepping switch S8291, which performs arouting function, comprises a plurality of levels, each level having anumber of contact positions and a wiper which is stepped successivelyfrom one contact position to the next. The wipers of all of the variouslevels are connected together for unitary movement, and are operated byenergization and deenergization of the coil SSZMM of the stepping switchS5201, in a well-known manner, the deenergization of said coil releasingthe wipers for movement to the next contact position. The operation ofthe circuit for controlling energization of the coil SSZfi-ZM willsubsequently be descri ed. One of the stepping switch levels SSZtllA to552011 inclusive is provided for each number 1 through 9 correspondingto the various positions within each of the transaction, amount, andcheck count banks of the accounting machine keyboard.

In FIG. 5, only two separate levels are shown which correspond to thenumerical keyboard positions 1 to 9 inclusive. One level is designatedSSZtllA to SSZGIF, SS201H, 552011, and represents numerical keyboardpositions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 for the various key banks, whilethe other level is designated SS201G and represents numerical keyboardpositions 7 for the various key banks. Level SSZQIG is shown separatelybecause it diiiers in one respect from the other levels which representnumerical keyboard positions, as will subsequently be described.

In addition to the above, special levels SSZOIJ, SSZOIK, and SS201L areprovided, which exert certain special controls. Level SSZOlK is notshown herein, since the controls which its exerts are not directlyrelated to the present invention. However, level S8201] is shown in FIG.6, and level SS201L is shown in FIG. 5. The controls which these levelsexert will subsequently be described.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5, each contact position of each levelSSZGIA to 552611 of the stepping switch S8201 is connected to anindividual solenoid 72, which is positioned over a key on the accountingmachine keyboard in the manner shown in FIG. 2 and previously described.All of the solenoids connected to each level of the stepping switchS8201 represent the same numerical value in the different banks of thekeyboard. For example, the solenoids 72 connected to the various contactpositions of the A level of the stepping switch S5201 are eachpositioned over a number 1 key in the various banks of the accountingmachine keyboard, while the solenoids connected to the various contactpositions of the I level of the stepping switch S5201 are eachpositioned over a number 9 key of the various banks of the accountingmachine keyboard.

The wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch 58201 areconnected over conductors to terminals 102 corresponding to thenumerical value of their respective solenoids in the program board 103(FIG. 9). For ex- 9 ample, the wiper of the level SS201A is connected tothe number 1 terminal 102 (FIGS. and 9) in the program board 103.

As shown in FIG. 5, conductors 116 provide direct connections betweencontact positions to 25 inclusive of the various levels 8S201A to 882011inclusive of the stepping switch 88201 and the corresponding individualsolenoids 72 of the accounting machine keyboard. Contact positions 4 to9 inclusive, of levels S8201A to 882011 inclusive, of the steppingswitch 88201 are connected by conductors 117 to the conductors 116extending between contact positions to inclusive of said levels and thecorresponding solenoids 72. In a given level, contact positions 4 and 15are thus effectively tied together, as are contact positions 5 and 16, 6and 17, 7 and 18, 8 and 19, and 9 and 20. Accordingly, it will be seenthat the solenoids 72 in certain of the amount rows of theaccountmachine keyboard may be energized when the wipers of the steppingswitch 88201 are in either of two given positions. For example, aselected solenoid 72 in amount row 4 may be energized when the wipers ofthe various levels of the stepping switch 88201 are either in position 4or in position 15. As will subsequently be described, energization ofsuch a solenoid 72 when the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are inposition 4 is for the purpose of indexing an account number to beprinted on the journal sheet, while energization of such a solenoid whenthe wipers of the stepping switch 88201 are in position 15 is for thepurpose of indexing an item amount for entry into the accountingmachine.

The energizing path for the solenoid 72 of one of the amount rows of theaccounting machine keyboard may be seen to extend from the positiveterminal 107 (FIG. 9) over the contacts 8(3214; the combination ofrelay-controlled decoding contacts shown in FIG. 9; a selected terminal102 on terminal board 103; the corresponding selected level of thestepping switch 88201; the conductors 116 and/or 117; the selectedsolenoid 72; a return conductor 118; a point 119; contacts K260A3,controlled by the print set relay K260; contacts K241A14, controlled bythe parity failure relay K241 (not shown); and the contacts K2321311 1,controlled by the account bypass relay K232 (not shown), to a negativeterminal 120. The energizing circuit for a solenoid 72 in thetransaction row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard is generallysimilar to that described above, except that the return path extendsover a conductor 121; a resistor 122; a point 123; and a conductor 124to the point 119. The difference between the two return circuits arisesfrom the fact that the resistor 122 is placed in series with thesolenoids 72 used for controlling the transaction row 2. These solenoidshave lower resistances than the amount row solenoids, due to greaterpower requirements, and the resistor 122 is therefore used to limittotal current through the energizing circuits for the transaction row 2solenoids.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is special control level 8S201L of the steppingswitch 88201. The wiper of this level is connected to a terminal 125,which is connected to the point 101 and is thus associated with thecontacts SC214, as shown in FIG. 9. Power is therefore applied to thewiper of level 8S201L when the contacts S0214 are closed at 105 degreesof cam line rotation.

It will be noted that only the contact positions 5 to 8 inclusive oflevel 8S201L are utilized. The positions 5, 6, and 7 are connected byconductors 126, 127, and 128 to the Wipers of storage switches S8210,88212, and 88214, which are utilized to store the first, second, andthird denominational digits, respectively, of the account identificationnumber pertaining to the account which is being posted by the accountingmachine. These storage switches are actually multiple-level switcheswith various levels being used for various purposes, such as switchpositioning, account number comparison, etc. However, only the level ofthese switches directly relating to the present invention is shown here.The manner in which the first three digits of the account number arestored while the stepping switch 88201 is passing through its firstthree contact positions, and the manner in which these stored digits areutilized for account number comparison purposes, are described fully inthe previously-cited United States patent application Serial No.840,701, to which reference may be had for a complete explanation.

Each of the switches S8210, 88212, and 88214 contains nine contactpositions, and the wipers of these switches may be set to any one ofthese positions, according to the number which it is desired torepresent. Each contact position of the switch 88210 is connected by aseparate conductor, represented collectively by reference character 129,to the conductor 116 connected to the number 12 contact position of oneof the levels of the stepping switch 201. The conductors 116, it will berecalled, are also connected to solenoids 72 corresponding to thecontact positions of the levels of the stepping switch 88201 to whichsaid conductors are connected. Thus the number 1 contact position of theswitch level 88210 is electrically connected to the solenoid 72 for thenumber 1 key in the first amount row of the accounting machine keyboard,which solenoid is also electrically connected to the number 12 contactposition of the level S8201A; the number 2 contact position of theswitch level 88210 is electrically connected to the solenoid 72 for thenumber 2 key in the first amount row of the accounting machine keyboard,which solenoid is also connected electrically to the number 12 contactposition of level S8201B; and so on.

In a similar manner, the nine contact positions of switch level 88212are connected by conductors 130 to conductors 116, which, in turn,connect the solenoids 72 in the second amount row of the accountingmachine keyboard to the number 13 contact position of the levels 88201Ato 882011 inclusive; and the nine contact positions of which level 88214are connected by conductors 131 to those conductors 116 which in turnconnect the solenoids 72 in the third amount row of the accountingmachine keyboard to the number 14 contact position of the levels SS201Ato 882011 inclusive.

With this arrangement, it is seen that closing of the contacts SC214,when the wiper of the stepping switch 88201 is in position 5, cancomplete a circuit extending through level S8201L and switch 88210 toenergize a solenoid 72 to effect depression of a selected key in amountrow 1 according to the digit which has been stored in switch 818210.Similarly, in position 6 of the stepping switch 88201, a solenoid can beenergized to depress a selected key in amount row 2 according to thedigit stored in switch 88212; and in position 7 of the stepping switch88201, a solenoid 72 can be energized to depress a selected key inamount row 3 of the accounting machine keyboard according to the digitstored in switch 88214.

Contact position 8 of the level 8S201L is connected by a conductor 132to the conductor 116 connected to the solenoid 72 which is alsoconnected to contact position 10 of level 882016. This solenoid controlsdepression of the number 6 key in transaction row 2 of the accountingmachine keyboard, which is a key utilized to condition the accountingmachine for a non-add operation, in which printing takes place on thejournal sheet. Accordingly, closure of the contacts 80214, when thewiper of the stepping switch 88201 is in position 8, can effectdepression of the number 6 key in row 2 of the accounting machinekeyboard to condition the accounting machine for a non-add printingoperation.

Shown in FIG. 6 is level 88201] of the stepping switch 88201. Thislevel, like level SS201L, is used for special control purposes. Thewiper of the level 882011 is connected over the contacts SC213, whichclose at 55 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device,and open again at 130 degrees of cam line rotation, to a conductor 138,connected in turn to a positive terminal 1 1 139. Only the number 4,number 9, and number contact positions of the level S5201] are utilized.

The number 4 contact position is connected over a conductor 140, a point141, a resistor 142, and a comparator by-pass relay K243 to a conductor143, which is in turn connected to a negative terminal 144. A source of90 volts DC. power is applied across the terminals 139 and With thewiper of level SS261J in position 4, closure of the contacts SC213results in energization of the relay K243. A holding circuit is providedto maintain the relay K243 in energized condition once it has beenenergized, and this circuit extends from the point 141 over seriallyconnected contacts K243A1 and K283AC1 to the positive conductor 13:8.The contacts K243A1 are controlled by the relay K243 and close when saidrelay is energized. The contacts K2S3AC1 are controlled by the relayK283 (not shown), which is energized at all times except when thestepping switch S8201 is in its home position. Therefore, once the relayK243 has been energized, it remains energized until the stepping switchS5201 has returned to home position.

The number 10 contact position of level S8201] is connected over aconductor 145, contacts K26tlA2, a point 145, contacts K242B2, aresistor 147, and a print trip relay K265 to the negative conductor 141.With the wiper of level $8201] in position 10, and the contacts K260A2and K242B2 closed, closure of the contacts SC213 results in energizationof the relay K255. The contacts 1(242132 are controlled by the amountparity relay K242 (not shown) and are in a closed condition except whensaid relay is energized. The contacts K260A2 are controlled by the printset relay K269, which will subsequently be discussed.

A holding circuit is provided to maintain the relay K265 in energizedcondition, once it has been energized, and extends from the point 146over serially connected contacts K265A2 and SC954 to the positiveconductor 138. The contacts K255A2 are controlled by the relay K265 andclose when said relay is energized. The contacts 80254 are controlled bythe printer cam line of the accounting machine, closing at 350 degreesof rotation of said printer cam line, and opening at 250 degrees ofrotation of said cam line, thereby being in a closed condition in thezero position of the printer cam line. Accordingly, once the relay K265has been energized, it remains energized until the contacts SC954 openduring the next cycle of accounting machine operation.

The number 11 contact position is connected over a conductor 148, apoint 149, a resistor 150, and a print set relay K266 to the negativeconductor 143. \Vhen the wiper of level S5201] is set to the number 11contact position, closing of the contacts S0213 causes energization ofthe relay K250. An alternate path for energization of the relay K261) isprovided to by-pass the level S5201], and extends from the point 149over a conductor 151, a point 152, and serially connected contactsK233A3 and ST2tl3, to the positive conductor 133. The contacts K233A3are controlled by the overdraft reset relay K233 (not shown) and closewhen said relay is energized, which is whenever a balance pickupoperation is attempted by the accounting machine, while the contactsST2tl3 are manually controlled contacts which may be closed or openedunder control of a lockable toggle switch according to whether or not anaccount num er printing operation is desired. A holding circuit isprovided to maintain the relay K260 in energized condition once it hasbeen energized, and extends from the point 152 over serially connectedcontacts K26tiA1 and K221BC11 to the positive conductor 138. Thecontacts K260A1 are controlled by the relay K260, and close when saidrelay is energized. The contacts K221BC11 are controlled by the row 2trip relay (not shovn) and remain closed so long as said relay is notenergized. According- 1y, once the relay K269 has been energized, itwill be maintained in energized condition by its holding circuit untilthe row 2 trip relay K221 is energized.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is the energizing circuit for the trip coils L221of the tape-sensing device, which control initiation of a cycle ofoperation of the tape-sensing device. The energizing circuit for thetrip coils L201 extends from the negative conductor 143 over the tripcoils L261; contacts SC8A1; SC9B1; S0212; SP2S"B2; 14254811; and K221B1to a point 155. From the point 155, the energizing circuit branches intoa plurality of different paths. A first path extends from the point overthe contacts K282A3 to the positive conductor 13%.

In the above circuit, the contacts SCSAI and SC9B1 are interlocksrelating to the condition of the paper tape. If the tape tears or runsout, the contacts SC8A1 open, preventing further reading. If the tapebecomes too tight, the contacts SC9B1 open and prevent further tapeadvancc. The contacts SC212 supply the timing for the energization ofthe trip coils L261, closing at 315 degrees of rotation of the cam lineof the sensing device, and opening at 25 degrees of rotation, thus beingclosed in the home position of the cam line. A series combination of aresistor 156 and a capacitor 157 is connected in parallel with thecontacts SC212 to serve an arc suppression function. The contactsSPZSOBZ are controlled by a manually operable control element, and areopened when an item by-pass operation is initiated. Such an operation isnormally used following a lock-up of the apparatus caused by incorrectinput of the information. As an incident of an item by-pass operation,the contacts K232A3 are closed by energization of the item by-pass relayK282. (not shown), which normally conditions the coils L291 forenergization. Energization of said coils then takes place when amanually-operable control element is released, permitting the contactsSP23OB2 to close. The contacts K221B1 are controlled by the row 2 triprelay K221 (FIG. 9), which is energized by sensing of a trip symbol, ashas been previously described.

From the point 155, an alternate path for energization of the trip coilsL201 extends over the contacts K265B1 and K232A in parallel; thecontacts 11229811; K216B1; K2e 2-B11; KZSQBZ; K222A12; K241A4; SC907;and SC945' to a point 158. From the point 158, two branches areavailable for completion of this energizing path. The first branchextends over serially connected contacts K272BC2 .d SC62A1 to thepositive conductor 138, while the second branch extends over a parallelcombination of contacts K273AC1 and K232AC1 to the positive conductor138.

In the above circuit, the contacts K265B1 are normally closed contactswhich are controlled by the print trip relay K265 (FIG. 6), and whichopen when the relay KZoS is energized. The contacts K232A are normallyopen contacts controlled by the account by-pass relay K232 (not shown),which close when said relay is energized. The contacts K221711311 arenormally closed contacts controlled by the new balance trip relay K220(not shown), which open when the relay K220 is energized, in order toblocl; operation of the trip coils L201 when information is beingtransmitted to the accounting machine to initiate a new balanceoperation of said machine. The contacts K216B1 are normally closedcontacts controlled by the comparator advance relay K216 (not shown),which open when said relay is energized, in order to block operation ofthe trip coils L201 in order that the storage switches S8216, S8212, and5521-1 will be provided sufiicient time to be positioned to a newaccount identification number. The contacts 1 1242511 are normallyclosed contacts controlled by the amount parity relay K242 (not shown),which open when said relay is energized in connection with a machinelock-up resulting from parity failure. The contacts KZSllBl are normallyclosed contacts controlled by the reader stop relay K259 (not shown),which open when said relay is energized in response to a gate checit,overdraft, or last line indication received from the accounting machine.The contacts K222A12 are normally open contacts which are controlled bythe manual-autoniatic relay K222 (not shown), and which are caused toclose when said relay is energized. The contacts. K241A4 are normallyopen contacts controlled by the parity failure relay K2411 (not shown),which close when said relay is energized. The contacts SC907 arecontacts controlled by the auxiliary cam line of the accounting machine,which close at 350 degrees of rotation of the cam line and open atdegrees of rotation of said line. The contacts S0945 are controlled byrotation of the printer cam line in the accounting machine, which closeat 350 degrees of rotation of the printer cam line and open at 15degrees of rotation of said line. The contacts K272BC2 are normallyclosed contacts con trolled by the trial balance selection relay K272(not shown), which open when said relay is energized during theperformance of a trial balance during posting operation. The contactsSC262A1 are new balance non-repeat contacts on the accounting machine,which prevent two successive new balance operations of said machine. Thecontacts K-232AC1 are normally open contacts controlled by the accountby-pass relay K232 (not shown), which close when said relay is energizedto permit an account bypass operation while the machine is performing atrial balance during posting operation. The contacts K273AC1 arenormally open contacts controlled by the pickup selection relay K273(not shown), which close when said relay energizes as a result of acorrect cornparator pickup during a pickup operation of the accountingmachine.

The coils L201 control the clutch of the tape-sensing device and allowthe cam line of the tape-sensing device to make one revolution when saidcoils are energized. As the cam line of the sensing device rotates, at25 degrees of rotation, the contacts SC212 open to remove power from thecoils L201. Since the clutch has been operated at this time, however,the calm line will continue its rotation and complete a full revolution.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is the energizing circuit for the coil SSZMM of themultiple-level stepping switch S8201. This circuit extends from thenegative conductor 143 over the coil SS1M to points 162 and 163.Connected in parallel with the coil SS201M are a first arc suppressionelement 159 and a series combination of a resistor 160 and a capacitor161, which also serve an arc suppression function. Two paths forenergization of the coil SS201M are provided between the points 162 and163 and a point 164 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 6. The first pathincludes a parallel combination of contacts S0211 and K2-16A12 seriallyconnected to contacts K221BC11, while the second path include-s seriallyconnected contacts SC4B1, SC3A11, and K221AC11. From the point 164, theenergizing circuit extends over a parallel combination of contactsK200B11, K201B11, K203B11, K205B11, and K207B1r1 to the positiveconductor 138.

In the above energizing circuit for the coil SS201M, the contacts SC211are controlled by the cam line of the tapesensing device, and close at90 degrees of rotation of said cam line to energize the coil of thestepping mechanism, opening at 340 degrees of rotation to permit thestepping mechanism to advance the wipers of the stepping switch to thenext position, in a Well-known manner. The contacts K216A12 are normallyopen contacts which are controlled by the comparator advance relay K216(not shown). Since these contacts are in parallel with the contactsS0211, when closed they act to hold the coil in energized condition, andthus prevent operation of the stepping mechanism until the accountnumber storage switches SS210, SS21-2, and S8214 have been set to thedesired positions. The contacts K221ACL1 and K221BC1r1 are normally openand normally closed contacts, respectively, which are controlled by therow 2 trip relay K221 (FIG. 9), and which close and open, respectively,when said relay is energized. The contacts SC3A1 are off-normalcontacts, which are open only in the home position of the steppingswitch S8201. The contacts SC tBl are interrupter contacts, which openwhen the stepping mechanism of the stepping switch is in an approximately fully cooked position, and which close again as the steppingmechanism advances the wiper of the stepping switch to the nextposition. The contacts K200B1'1, K201'B11, K203B 11, K 205B11, andK207B11 are nonmally closed contacts which are controlled by thedecoding relays K200, K201, K203, K205, and K207, respectively (FIG. 7).These contacts open when their corresponding relay is energized. Sinceall of these contacts are in parallel, any one of the relays K200, K201,K203, K205, or K207 remaining deenergized will keep the circuit paththrough this parallel network maintained. Perforations in all fivechannels of the tape are therefore required to interrupt this circuitpath through the parallel network. Such a perforation of the tape in allfive channels indicates a correction of incorrect data. This encoding ofthe tape is thus effective to prevent energization of the coil SSZillM,so that the stepping switch S5201 is not stepped to its next position.

Following the completion of reading of any frame of information, thestepping switch S5201 must be returned to its home position in order tobe in proper condition to commence reading of the next frame. This isaccomplished by energization of the relay K221, which energizes when atrip symbol is sensed from the tape, as has been previously described.Energization of the relay K221 opens the contacts K221BC11 and closesthe contacts K221AC11, thereby completing an energizing circuit for thecoil SS201M which extends between the points 163 and 164. The contactsSC3A1 are closed at this time, since the stepping switch S8201 is not inhome position. The self-interrupter contacts SC4B1 function todeenergize the coil SS201M momentarily at each time that it becomesenergized, thus causing the stepping switch to step one step further.Then, as the coil SS201M deenergizes, the interrupter contacts SC4B1close once more to reenergize the coil SS201M. When the stepping switchSS201 reaches home position, the offnormal contacts SC3A1 open todeenergize the coil SS201M and maintain the stepping switch in its homeposition.

Operation In order best to illustrate the manner in which the variouscircuits described above cooperate to enable the apparatus of thepresent invention to perform its desired function, a typical accountoperation of the apparatus will now be explained, incorporating theaccount number print feature which is the subject of the presentinvention.

Those portions of the operating sequence of the apparatus which do notrelate to the present invention will be described only broadly or not atall. For a complete description of such portions of the operatingsequence, reference may be had to the previously-cited United Statespatent application Serial No. 840,701.

Let it be assumed in this description that the apparatus has justcompleted the sensing of a frame of information from the tape and isabout to commence the sensing of the next frame of information from thetape. Let it also be assumed that the next frame of information pertainsto a different account from the one previous and therefore has adifferent account number encoded on the tape.

Operation of the apparatus is sequentially controlled by the steppingswitch S8201, and to commence the sensing of a frame of information,power is applied to selective levels of the stepping switch, with thewipers of all levels, which wipers operate in unison, in position 1. Ineach of positions 1, 2, and 3 of the stepping switch S8201, the threelowest-denomination digits of the account identification number aresensed from the tape and compared with the digits stored in therespective account number storage switches S5210, S5212, and S5214. Withthe wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch S5201 set toposition 3, the switches S8210, S5212, and S8214 have been set tocorrespond to the various account identification number digits sensedfrom the tape.

It will be recalled that it was assumed that the account number of theframe of information being sensed was different from the account numberof the previous frame, which would necessitate a repositioning of atleast one of the switches S5210, $8212, and S5214. Resetting of at leastone of these switches conditions the operating circuitry of theapparatus for initiation of a new balance operation, as described inUnited States patent application Serial No. 840,701, and initiation ofthis operation is effected when the third denominational digit of theaccount number has been sensed.

The accounting machine then carries the account ledger card for theprevious account through a new balance operation, ejects that card,causes a new account ledger card to be fed into the accounting machine,and

makes a pickup of the information magnetically encoded on the card,after which a comparison is made between the account number digitssensed from the card, and those set in the switches S5210, S8212, andS5214. in the event of a correct comparison, the sensing of theremainder of the frame of information from the tape will now talteplace. If the comparison fails, then that ledger card is ejected fromthe accounting machine, and a new card is fed into the machine. Thisprocedure continues until a proper comparison is achieved, or until asearch limit mechanism terminates operation of the apparatus, indicatinga possible mis-arrangement of the ledger cards.

Following the achieving of a correct comparison with the ledger cardhaving the same account number as is encoded in the frame of informationbeing sensed from the tape, the stepping switch S3201 is in position 4.In this position, functions are performed under the control of twodifferent levels of the stepping switch.

At degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, thecontacts S0213 (FIG. 6) close and apply power to the wiper of the levelS5201], thereby energizing the comparator by-pass relay K243 through theenergizing circuit previously described. Energization of the relay K243,in turn, closes the contacts K243A1, in the previously described holdingcircuit for said relay, which enables said relay to be maintained inenergized condition after the wiper of the level S5201] has stepped tothe next position. Energization of the relay K243 is effective to renderthe parity checking system provided in the apparatus operable withrespect to the remainder of the data sensed in the frame of information,as well as with respect to the first three digits of the accountidentification number. Since the parity checking system forms no part ofthe present invention, further explanation is believed to beunnecessary.

At degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensing device, thecontacts SC2iii (FIG. 7) close to complete an ener izing path fordecoding relays K200 to K208 inclusive corresponding to the contactsSC201 to SC205 inclusive which have closed due to the presence ofperforations in their channels of the tape. As previously described,these relays close contacts in the decoding network of FIG. 9 in orderto prepare a path for application of power to the appropriate terminalon the program board 103, which path is completed when the contactsSC214 close at degrees of rotation of the cam line of the sensingdevice. It will be recalled that the terminals of the program board 103are connected to the wipers of the various levels SS201A to $52011 ofthe stepping switch S8201. With the wipers of these levels at position4, power is transmitted through the number 4 contact position of theselected level, the conductor 117, the conductor 116 connected to thenumber 15 contact position of that level to which said conductor 117 isconnected, to

the selected solenoid 72 in the fourth amount row of the accountingmachine keyboard, for energization of said solenoid, the return path forenergization of said solenoid extending through the contacts K260A3,K241A14, and K232B13 to the terminal (FIG. 5), as previously described.Energization of the selected solenoid 72 results in depression of thecorresponding key in amount row 4 of the accounting machine keyboard.

It should be noted that energization of the solenoids 72 of theaccounting machine keyboard is dependent upon the contacts K260A3 in thesolenoid-energizing circuit being closed. These contacts are closed byenergization of the print set relay K260. During the sequentialoperation of the stepping switch up to position 10, the only availablepath for energization of the relay K260 is through theserially-connected contacts ST203 and K233A3. As previously described,the contacts ST203 are manually controlled by a machine operator, andmay be closed or opened according to whether or not it is desired toprint the account identification number for each account on the journalsheet, while the contacts K233A3 are controlled by a relay K233 (notshown), which is energized during a ledger card balance pickup operationby the accounting machine, and which is decnergized during the firstposting operation of the accounting machine following a balance pickupoperation. Once the relay K260 has been energized, it is maintained inenergized condition by its holding circuit while the sensing of theframe of information is completed. Accordingly, the relay K260 isenergized during a sequential operation of the stepping switch S5201through its first nine contact positions only when the frame ofinformation being sensed is the first item to be posted to a givenaccount. This arrangement is provided in order that printing of theaccount number on the journal sheet will take place only during thefirst posting operation pertaining to each account, which prevcnts theunnecessary repetition of the printing of the account number inconnection with every item posted to an account, rather than just thefirst item.

The wipers of the various levels of the stepping switch SSZfilt movefrom position 4 to position 5 following entry of the fourthdenominational digit of the account identification umber in theaccounting machine keyboard by means of energization of the appropriatesolenoid in row 4 of the amount section of said keyboard. In the fifthposition of the stepping switch S3201, the fifth digit of the accountidentification number is sensed from the tape and causes energization ofthe appropriate solenoid 72 in the row 5 of the amount section of theaccounting machine keyboard, in the same manner as described above forenergization of the appropriate solenoid in row 4.

Also, while the wipers of the stepping switch S8201 are in the number 5position, at 105 degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensingdevice, the contacts- SC214 (FIG. 9) close, thus applying power from theterminal 107 over said contacts, the terminal (FIGS. 5 and 9), the wiperof level SS201L, and the conductor 126 to the wiper of storage switchS5210. It will be recalled that during the time the wipers of thestepping switch 58201 were in position 1, the wiper of the switch S5210was set to the correct contact position corresponding to the first digitof the account identification number, if it was not already in suchposition.

As has been previously stated, the various individual positions of theswitch S8210 are connected to corresponding positions in levels SSZGZAto $52011, contact position 12. Therefore, when power is applied to thewiper of switch S8210, this power is transmitted through the wiper inthe position to which said wiper is set, to energize one of thesolenoids 72 in amount row 1 of the accounting machine keyboard, towhich contact position 12 in the various levels SS201A to 582011 isconnected by conductors 116. It is thus seen that, in contact position 5of the stepping switch S5201, solenoids 72 in amount rows 1 and 5 of theaccounting machine keyboard are energized to enter the first and fifthdenominational digits of the account identification number into theaccounting machine keyboard.

Similar operations take place in positions 6 and 7 of the steppingswitch 88201, in order to cause the second and third account numberdigits, as stored in the switches 88212 and 88214, to be entered inamount rows 2 and 3 of the accounting machine keyboard, the solenoids 72of which rows are also connected by conductors 116 to positions 13 and14 of the various levels of the stepping switch S8201. These entriestake place while the sixth and seventh account number digits are beingentered into the sixth and seventh amount rows of the accounting machinekeyboard, the solenoids 72 of which rows are also connected byconductors 116 to positions 17 and 18 of the stepping switch 88201.

When the stepping switch 88231 is in position number 8, the accountnumber di it corresponding to the eighth character read from the tape isentered into amount row 8 of the accounting machine keyboard,corresponding to position 19 of the stepping switch 882 31. Also, whilethe stepping switch 882% is in position number '8, at 105 degrees ofrotation of the tape-sensing device cam line, the contacts SCZM close,and power is applied over the terminal 125 to the wiper of the levelSSZfillL to the conductor 132 (FIG. 5), which is connected to levelSSZMG, contact position 10. This is effective to energize the num ber 6key in control row 2 of the accounting machine keyboard, said depressedkey being a space key, which is capable of controlling the accountingmachine to cause a non-add printing operation to be performed on thejournal sheet, as previously described.

In position 9 of the stepping switch 88201, the last, or ninth, digit ofthe account identification number is sensed from the tape and is enteredin the ninth row of the accounting machine keyboard, which is alsoconnected by conductors 116 to position 20 of the various levels of thestepping switch 88201.

In addition, while the stepping switch 88281 is in position 9, at 55degrees of rotation of the cam line of the tape-sensing device, thecontacts S0213 (PEG. 6) close to complete an energizing circuit for therelay K265, which extends from the positive conductor 138 over thecontacts 8(3213; level S8201]; conductor 145; contacts K26tlA2, whichare closed, since relay K260 is energized; contacts K242B2, which areclosed, since the amount parity relay K242 (not shown) is not energized;the resistor 147; and relay K265 to the negative conductor 143.Energization of the relay K265 closes the contacts K25A12 (FIG. 8) inthe operating circuit for the accounting machine, thus conditioning theaccounting machine for a cycle of operation which is initiated byclosing of the contacts 8C216 (FIG. 8) at 300 degrees of rotation of thecam line of the tape-sensing device, thus completing the circuit of FIG.8 between the terminals llil and 111.

This operating cycle of the accounting machine causes printing of anaccount number on the journal sheet in accordance with the keysdepressed in the various amount rows of the accounting machine keyboard.During this operation, the ledger card related to the account beingposted is spaced one line, but no entry is made thereon. At theconclusion of the cycle of machine operation, the depressed keys on thekeyboard are automatically released.

It will be noted that energization of the relay K265 also causes thecontacts 1(26531 (PEG. 6) to open. These contacts are in the energizingcircuit for the trip coils L2tl1 of the tape-sensing device. Furtheroperation of the tape-sensing device is thus prevented during the timethe accounting machine is performing a cycle of operation, since thecontacts K232A, controlled by the account bypass relay K232 (not shown),are also open at this time during a normal operation of the apparatus.

As the accounting machine cycles, the contacts 8(3954 (FIG. 6) open at250 degrees of rotation of the printer 18 cam line in the accountingmachine. This interrupts the holding circuit for the relay K265 andcauses said relay to deenergize, since the original energizing circuitfor said relay is also interrupted as the stepping switch 88201 stepsfrom position 9 to position 10.

As the wiper of stepping switch level 882%1] moves to position 10, itestablishes electrical contact with the conductor 14-8, which provides acircuit path over point 149 and resistor 150 to the relay K260.Subsequent closure of the contacts SC213 at 55 degrees of rotation ofthe cam line of the tape-sensing device would complete a circuit forenergization of the relay K26i), if it were not already energized.However, since the relay K269 was previously energized in the cyclewhich has been described, this has no effect, but, during subsequentcycles of operation of the tape-sensing device for reading additionalframes of information relating to the same account, the relay K26 is notenergized during the time the wiper of the stepping switch 882% isstepping through positions 1 to 10, as previously described, and in sucha case the energizing circuit described above is effective to energizethe relay K26 i at this time. Energization of the relay K263 duringsequential operation of the stepping switch 882 91, from position number10 on, is necessary during the sensing of all frames of information,since the circuit for energizing the various solenoids 72 of theaccounting machine keyboard cannot be completed for energization of saidsolenoids without the energization of relay K260, due to the presence ofcontacts K20A3 in the energizing circuit for said solenoids. It will berecalled that the contacts K26JA3 are closed only when the relay isenergized.

The wiper of the stepping switch 882M moves from position 9 to position10 during the cycle of operation of the accounting machine, and, duringthe time the wiper is in position 10, in addition to completion of anenergizing circuit for the relay K265i, as described above, informationis sensed from the tape relating to the proper setting of transactionrow 2 of the accounting machine keyboard for posting of the item amountcontained in the frame of information. This information is entered intothe accounting machine keyboard by energization of the appropriate row 2solenoid 72, in the manner previously described.

In a similar manner, information relating to the proper setting ofcontrol row 3, and of the various amount rows, is sensed from the tapeand entered into the accounting machine keyboard by energization of theproper solenoids 72, as the wipers of the stepping switch 88201 areadvanced from position to position. Additional information, such ascheck count information, can also be included in the frames ofinformation encoded on the tape, and entered into the accounting machinekeyboard, if desired.

Following the last amount or check count digit of the frame ofinformation on the tape, a trip symbol is encoded to indicate the end ofthe frame of information. Sensing of this trip symbol by the sensingdevice is effective to cause energization of the row 2 trip relay K221(FIG. 9), in the manner previously described. Energization of the relayK221 closes the contacts K221A3 (FIG. 8) in the operating circuitry ofthe accounting machine, and initiates a cycle of operation of saidmachine to cause the amount, transaction, and check count data,contained in the frame of information, which has been entered into theaccounting machine keyboard, to be posted to the account beingprocessed.

Energization of the relay K221 also causes the contacts K221BC11 (FIG.6) to be opened, thus interrupting the holding circuit for the relayK260 and causing said relay to be deenergized.

In addition, the contacts K221AC11 (FIG. 6) close, while the contactsK221BC11 open, in the energizing circuit for the stepping switch coil88201M, and in this condition, these contacts provide aself-interrupting circuit 19 for the stepping switch coil SSZGIM tocarry the stepping switch S5291 back to home position in preparation forsensing of the next frame of information from the tape.

While tie form of mechanism shown and described herein is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form orembodiment disclosed herein, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious other forms.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, capable of performing differenttypes of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard havinga plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and inlines according to digital value for entry of information used inrecording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, eachsolenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equalnumber of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for eachlevel, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position toposition to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting afirst group of corresponding contact positions of different levels ofthe routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digitalvalues in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of eachlevel are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keyson the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting asecond group of certain corresponding contact positions of each level ofthe routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions ofsaid first group in the same level, to which said first conducting meansare also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energizedthrough both a contact position of said first group and a contactposition of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of encoded informationfrom a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means inconnection with each character sensed from the record medium by saidsensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to theposition of that level to which the wiper is set; a plurality ofmultiple position storage switches settable for storage of digit valuescorresponding to certain information sensed by the sensing means fromthe record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connectingpositions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys ofdigit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches incertain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routingmeans to energize the multiple position storage switches to causeenergization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said thirdconducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboardcorresponding to the settings of said multiple position storageswitches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of therouting means for initiating a first type of operation of said devicefollowing the entry in the keyboard of information from said multipleposition storage switches and of information sensed from the recordmedium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipers of therouting means were traversing said second group of contact positions;first disabling means operable to prevent encrgization of keyboardsolenoids for entry of information from said multiple position storageswitches and of information sensed from the record medium;

second disabling means operable to prevent operation of said firstoperating means;

first control means for rendering said first and second disabling meanseffective to perform their disabling functions when the informationstored in said multiple position storage switches in the frame ofinformation being sensed is the same as sensed in the previous frame;

second control means for operating said first control means to rendersaid first disabling means ineffective to prevent energization ofkeyboard solenoids, said second control means being controlled by thesequential position of the routing means to function at a time in thesequence of operation subsequent to the time for operation of the firstoperating means; and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbolfrom the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of saiddevice following the entry in keyboard of information sensed from therecord medium during the time that the sequcntially-operable wipers ofthe routing means were traversing said first group of contact positions.

2. In a device of the class described, capable of performing differenttypes of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard havinga plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and inlines according to digital value for entry of information used inrecording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, eachsolenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equalnumber of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for eachlevel, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position toposition to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting afirst group of corresponding contact positions of different levels ofthe routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digitalvalues in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of eachlevel are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keyson the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting asecond group of certain corresponding contact positions of each level ofthe routing means with certain other corresponding contact positions ofsaid first group in the same level, to which said first conducting meansare also connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energizedthrough both a contact position of said first group and a contactposition of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of encoded informationfrom a record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means inconnection with each character sensed from the record medium by saidsensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to theposition of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable for storageof digit values corresponding to certain information sensed by thesensing means from the record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connectingpositions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys ofdigit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches incertain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routingmeans to energize the multipleposition storage switches to causeenergization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said thirdconducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboardcorresponding to the settings of said multipleposition storage switches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of therouting means for initiating a first type of operation of said devicefollowing the entry in the keyboard of information from saidmultiple-position storage switches and of information sensed from therecord medium during the time that the sequentiallyoperable wipers ofthe routing means were traversing said second group of contactpositions;

first disabling means operable to prevent energization of keyboardsolenoids for entry of information from said multipleposition storageswitches and of information sensed from the record medium during thetime that the sequentially operable wipers of the routing means weretraversing said second group of contact positions;

second disabling means operable to prevent operation of said firstoperating means;

control means for rendering said first and second disabling meanseffective to perform their disabling functions when the informationstored in said multiple-position storage switches in the frame ofinformation being sensed is the same as sensed in the previous frame;and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbolfrom the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of saiddevice follow ing the entry in the keyboard of information sensed fromthe record medium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipersof the routing means were traversing said first group of contactpositions.

3. In a device of the class described, capable of performing differenttypes of operations, including a new balance operation, the combinationcomprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rowsaccording to denomination and in lines according to digital value forentry of information used in recording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, eachsolenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equalnumber of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for eachlevel, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position toposition to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting afirst group of corresponding contact positions of different levels ofthe routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digitalvalues in the same rows, so that the various contact positions of eachlevel are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keyson the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting asecond group of corresponding contact positions of each level of therouting means with certain other corresponding contact positions of saidfirst group in the same level, to which said first conducting means arealso connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energizedthrough both a contact position of said first group and a contactposition of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing frames of coded information froma record medium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means inconnection with each character sensed from the record medium by saidsensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to theposition of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switches settable for storageof digit values corresponding to certain information sensed by thesensing means from the record medium;

third conducting means including a plurality of conductors connectingpositions of the storage switches to solenoids associated with keys ofdigit values corresponding to the positions of said storage switches incertain rows of the keyboard;

energizing means controlled by the sequential position of the routingmeans to energize the multiple-position storage switches to causeenergization of the solenoids connected by conductors of said third conducting means to cause operation of keys on the keyboard correspondingto the settings of said multiple-position storage switches;

first operating means controlled by the sequential position of therouting means for initiating a first type of operation of said devicefollowing the entry in the keyboard of information from saidmultiple-position storage switches and of information sensed from therecord medium during the time that the sequentiallyoperable wipers ofthe routing means were traversing said second group of contactpositions;

disabling means to prevent said first type of operation during thesensing of the first frame of information following a new balanceoperation; and

second operating means controlled by the sensing of a special symbolfrom the record medium for initiating a second type of operation of saiddevice following the entry in the keyboard of information sensed fromthe record medium during the time that the sequentially-operable wipersof the routing means were traversing said first group of contactpositions.

4. In a device of the class described, capable of performing differenttypes of operations, the combination comprising an input keyboard havinga plurality of keys arranged in rows according to denomination and inlines according to digital value for entry of information used inrecording and computing operations;

keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each key, eachsolenoid being capable of operating its respective key when energized;

multiple-level, sequentially-operable routing means having an equalnumber of contact positions on each level and having a wiper for eachlevel, said wipers being capable of stepping in unison from position toposition to cause a predetermined sequence of operation;

first conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting afirst group of corresponding contact positions of different levels ofthe routing means to solenoids associated with keys of varying digitalvalues in the same rows so that the various contact positions of eachlevel are connected to solenoids associated with different rows of keyson the keyboard;

second conducting means including a plurality of conductors connecting asecond group of corresponding contact positions of each level of therouting means with certain other corresponding contact positions of saidfirst group in the same level, to which said first conducting means arealso connected, so that certain of said solenoids can be energizedthrough both a contact position of said first group and a contactposition of said second group in the same level;

23 sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from arecord medium; means for selectively energizing a given level of therouting means in connection with each character contact position of saidfirst group and a contact position of said second group in the samelevel;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a recordmedium;

sensed from the record medium by said sensing means for selectivelyenergizing a given level of the means to cause energization of thesolenoid conrouting means in connection with each character nected tothe position of that level to which the wiper sensed from the recordmedium by said sensing is set; means to cause energization of thesolenoid cona plurality of multiple-position storage switches setnectedto the position of that level to which the wiper table for storage ofdigit values corresponding to is set; certain information sensed by thesensing means from a plurality of multiple-position storage switchessettable he record medium; for storage of digit values corresponding tocertain third conducting means including a plurality of coninformationsensed by the sensing means from the ductors connecting positions of thestorage switches record medium; to solenoids associated with keys ofdigit values cor- 1 third conducting means including a plurality ofconresponding to the positions of said storage switches ductorsconnecting positions of the storage switches in certain rows of thekeyboard; to solenoids associated with keys of digit valuescorenergizing means controlled by the sequential posiresponding to thepositions of said storage switches in tion of the routing means toenergize the multiplecertain rows of the keyboard; position storageswitches to cause energization of 2() energizing means controlled by thesequential position the solenoids connected by conductors of said thirdof the routing means to energize the multiple-posiconducting means tocause operation of keys on the tion storage switches to causecnergization of the keyboard corresponding to the settings of saidmultisolenoids connected by conductors of said third conple-positionstorage switches; ducting means to cause operation of keys on thekeyfirst operating means controlled by the sequential posi- 25 boardcorresponding to the settings of said multipletion of the routing meansfor initiating a first type position storage switches; of operation ofsaid device following the entry in first operating means controlled bythe sequential posithe keyboard of information from said multipletion ofthe routing means for initiating a first type position storage switchesand of information sensed of operation of said device following theentry in the from the record medium during the time that the keyboard ofinformation from said multiple-position sequentially-operable wipers ofthe routing means storage switches and of information sensed from thewere traversing said second group of contact posirecord medium duringthe time that the sequentiallytions; operable wipers of the routingmeans were traversing second operating means controlled by the Sensingof a said second group of contact positions;

special symbol from the record medium for initiating 30 means controlledby said first operating means for prea second type of operation of saiddevice following venting stepping of the wipers of the sequentially theentry in the keyboard of information sensed from operable routing meansduring said first type of operthe record medium during the time that thesequenation of said device; and tially-operable wipers of the routingmeans were second operating means controlled by the sensing of atraversing said first group of contact positions; and special symbolfrom the record medium for initiating homing means controlled by saidsecond operating a second type of operation of said device followingmeans for causing the wipers of the sequentiallythe entry in thekeyboard of information sensed operable routing means to return to ahome position from the record medium during the time that the followingthe sensing of said special symbol. sequentially-operable wipers of therouting means 5. In a device of the class described, capable of perweretraversing said first group of contact positions. forming differenttypes of operations, the combination 6. In a device of the classdescribed, capable of percomprising forming different types ofoperations, the combination an input keyboard having a plurality of keysarranged comprising in rows according to denomination and in lines acaninput keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged cording to digitalvalue for entry of information used in rows according to denominationand in lines acin recording and computing operations; cording to digitalvalue for entry of information keyboard operating means including asolenoid for each used in recording and computing operations;

key, each solenoid being capable of operating its keyboard operatingmeans including a solenoid for each respective key wh n energized; key,each solenoid being capable of operating its remultiple-lcvel,sequentially-operable routing means havspective key when energized;

ing an equal number of contact positions on each multiple-level,sequentially-operable routing means havlevel and having a wiper for eachlevel, said wipers ing an equal number of contact positions on eachbeing capable of stepping in unison from position to level and having awiper for each level, said wipers position to cause a predeterminedsequence of opereing Capable of stepping in unison from position ation;to position to cause a predetermined sequence of first conducting meansincluding a plurality of conduc- P tors connectingafirst group ofcorresponding contact first conductlng means Including a plurality ofconpositions of different levels of the routing means to ductors sq safirst group of P nd1ng Consolenoids associated with keys of varyingdigital tact posmfms of dlfiercnt levels of the m W values in the samerows so that the various contact to solelmlds assocmted with keys ofvalymg dlglml positions of each level are connected to solenoids as iq mthe Same rows so that the Various cpmact Ciqed with different rows of keS on the ke board pos tions of each level are connected to solenoids as-30 y y soclated with different rows of keys on the keyboard; Secondwnductmg, means mcludmg a plurahty of 9 second conducting meansincluding a plurality of conductors conflfzctmg Second group ofconicspondmg 7Q ductors connecting a second group of corresponding ComaPoslilons of each have} of the routmsmsans contact positions of eachlevel of the routing means With Certain Oihfil cofffispondlng ContactPositlons of with certain other corresponding contact positions of Saidfirst group in the Same level, to which Said first said first group inthe same level, to which said first conducting means are also connected,so that certain conducting means are also connected, so that cerof saidsolenoids can be energized through both a tain of said solenoids can beenergized through both 25 a contact position of said first group and acontact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a recordmedium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means inconnection with each character sensed from the record medium by saidsensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to theposition of that level to which the wiper is set;

a plurality of multiple-position storage switchessetquentially-opera-ble wipers of the routing means were traversing saidfirst group of contact positions.

contact position of said second group in the same level;

sensing means for sequentially sensing encoded information from a recordmedium;

means for selectively energizing a given level of the routing means inconnection with each character sensed from the record medium by saidsensing means to cause energization of the solenoid connected to theposition of that level to which the wiper is set;

table for storage of digit values corresponding to a plurality ofmultiple-position storage switches settable certain information sensedby the sensing means from for storage of digit values corresponding tocertain the record medium; information sensed by the sensing means fromthe third conducting means including a plurality of conrecord medium;

ductors connecting positions of the storage switches third conductingmeans including a plurality of conto solenoids associated with keys ofdigit values corductors connecting positions of the storage switchesresponding to the positions of said storage switches to solenoidsassociated with keys of digit values in certain rows of the keyboard;corresponding to the positions of said storage switches energizing meanscontrolled by the sequential position in certain rows of the keyboard;

of the routing means to energize the multiple-position energizing meanscontrolled by the sequential position storage switches to causeenergization of the soleof the routing means to energize themultiple-position noids connected by conductors of said third constorageswitches to cause energization of the soleducting means to causeoperation of keys on the keynoids connected by conductors of Said thirdconductboard corresponding to the settings of said multipleing means tocause operation of keys on the keyboard position storage switches; 5corresponding to the settings of said multiple-position first operatingmeans controlled by the sequential posistorage switches;

tion of the routing means for initiating a first type first operatingmeans controlled by the sequential posiof operation of said devicefollowing the entry in tion of the routing means for initiating a firsttype the keyboard of information from said multiple-posif Oper on ofsaid device following the entry in tion storage switches and ofinformation sensed from the y r f inf rma i n from said multiplethrecord mediu duri th time that th sequel-iposition storage switches andof information sensed tially-operable wipers of the routing means werefrom the record medium during the time that the traversing said secondgroup of contact positions; sequentially"operable P 0f the routing meansmanually-operable means for selectively preventing said Were traversingSaid Second group of Contact first type of operation; and Positions;second operating means controlled by the sensing of and Second Operatingmeans Controlled y the Sensing a special symbol from the record mediumfor initiatof a Special Symbol from the record medium for ing a secondtype of operation of said device followinitiating a second p ofOperation of Said device jn th e t i th keyboard f i f i sensedfollowing the entry in the keyboard of information from the recordmedium during the time that the se- 40 sensed om the record mediumduring the time that the sequentially operable wipers of the routingmeans were traversing said first group of contact positions. 8. in adevice of the class described, capable of performing ditferent types ofoperations, the combination comprising 7. In a device of the classdescribed, capable of performing different types of operations, thecombination comprising an input keyboard having a plurality of keysarranged in rows according to denomination and in lines according todigital value for entry of information used in recording and computingoperations;

an input keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in rows accordingto denomination and in lines according to digital value for entry ofinformation keyboard operating means including a solenoid for each 136din recording and Computing Operations;

key, each solenoid being capable of operating its keyboard Operatingmeans including a Solenoid for respective key when i d; each key, eachsolenoid being capable of operating multiple-level,sequentially-operable routing means its respective y When enelgiZed;

having an equal number of contact positions on each multiple-level,sequentially-0116f able touting means level and having a Wiper for eachlevel, said wipers having an equal number of Contact Positions on eachbeing capable of stepping in unison from position levftl and having a Pfor each level, Said WI'PEFS to position to cause a predeterminedsequence of bemg @P of PP in unison from Position Operation; to positionto cause a predetermined sequence of first conducting means including aplurality of conductors connecting a first group of corresponding firstConductmg f mcludmg plurahty of 9 contact positions of different levelsof the routing ductors coItnFCtmg a .first group of Correspondingcontact positions of different levels of the routing means to solenoidsassociated with keys of varymg means to solenoids associated with keysof varymg dlgital values in the same rows so that the various digitalvalues in the same rows so that the various contact PQSIUOPS of ,levelare connected to contact positions of each level are connected tosolenoids associated With dlfierent rows of keys on Solenoids associatedwith difiterent rows of keys on the keyboard; the keyboard;

Second conductll'lg means Including a Plurahty of 0011' secondconducting means including a plurality of conductors Connecting a Secondgroup of Corresponding ductors connecting a second group ofcorresponding contact positi ns f a level f t routing means contactpositions of each level of the routing means with certain othercorresponding contact positions with certain other corresponding contactpositions of said first group in the same level, to which said of saidfirst group in the same level, to which said first conducting means arealso connected, so that first conducting means are also connected, sothat certain of said solenoids can be energized through certain of saidsolenoids can be energized through both a contact position of said firstgroup and a both a contact position of said first group and a

10. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, CAPABLE OF PERFORMING DIFFERENTTYPES OF OPERATIONS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN INPUT KEYBOARD HAVINGA PLURALITY OF KEYS ARRANGED IN ROWS ACCORDING TO DENOMINATION AND INLINES ACCORDING TO DIGITAL VALUE FOR ENTRY OF INFORMATION USED INRECORDING AND COMPUTING OPERATIONS; KEYBOARD OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING ASOLENOID FOR EACH KEY, EACH SOLENOID BEING CAPABLE OF OPERATING ITSRESPECTIVE KEY WHEN ENERGIZED; MULTIPLE-LEVEL, SEQUENTIALLY-OPERABLEROUTING MEANS HAVING AN EQUAL NUMBER OF CONTACT POSITIONS ON EACH LEVELAND HAVING A WIPER FOR EACH LEVEL, SAID WIPERS BEING CAPABLE OF STEPPINGIN UNISON FROM POSITION TO POSITION TO CAUSE A PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE OFOPERATION; CONDUCTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTORSCONNECTING A GROUP OF CORRESPONDING CONTACT POSITIONS OF DIFFERENTLEVELS OF THE ROUTING MEANS TO SOLENOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH KEYS OF VARYINGDIGITAL VALUES IN THE SAME ROWS SO THAT THE VARIOUS CONTACT POSITIONS OFEACH LEVEL ARE CONNECTED TO SOLENOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT ROWS OFKEYS ON THE KEYBOARD; SENSING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY SENSING FRAMES OFENCODED INFORMATION FROM A RECORD MEDIUM;